5 Days | See the best of the Scottish Highlands on your own two feet.





There’s something to be said for exploring the Scottish Highlands in summer. While you won’t experience the sorts of scorching temperatures you might find in other parts of the world, you will find a vibrant countryside that’s come to life in the warmer weather. On this 5-day walking trip, you’ll have the chance to explore some of the region’s most striking peaks and most beautiful landscapes, with the guidance of a local leader who can share stories of the area and the conservation efforts in place to keep it pristine. Cool off with an afternoon on the ‘beach’ at the dreamy nearby Loch Morlich, where canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding are on option. Plus, you’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy the quaint village life – including few whiskys and a meal at a favourite local pub. And with your base being the small Scottish town of Aviemore, you’ll neither be on the move nor stretched for time each day, with plenty of time to explore your way. Welcome to the Cairngorms – a gateway into the real Scottish countryside.
Trip overview

- Start
- Aviemore, United Kingdom
- Finish
- Aviemore, United Kingdom
- Theme
- Walking & Trekking
- Destinations
- United Kingdom
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Comfort
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- BWXA
- Experience the freedom of hiking in the UK’s largest and wildest National Park – the Cairngorms.
- Hike a stage of the famous Speyside Way long distance trail, passing through heather moors and Caledonian pine forests on the way.
- Walk around the dark blue waters of Loch an Eilein, where the ancient ruins of a 14th century castle sit atop a small island in the middle of the lake.
- Your local leader will have plenty of local stories to share – especially about the nature of the Cairngorms National Park and conservation projects in the area.
- There are a number of planned walks on this trip of varying lengths. Be sure to pack adequate footwear and clothing to suit hiking in the summer months.
- This trip begins at 1pm on Day 1, so we suggest arriving in the morning or the day before to ensure you don’t miss the important welcome meeting.
Itinerary
Inclusions
4 breakfasts
Private vehicle, Public bus
Guesthouse (4 nights)
- Loch an Eilein guided hike
- Aviemore - Guided Speyside Way Trail hike
- Craigellachie guided hike
- Cairngorms Peak to Pub hike
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 1pm on Day 1 in Aviemore. This trip ends on Day 5 after breakfast and you are free to leave at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Aviemore is on the mainline and has regular trains south to Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond, as well as north to Inverness (which is the nearest airport). It’s possible to travel to Inverness Airport by a combination of train and bus.
4. If you plan to arrive by car, our accommodation offers free parking space on first-come-first-served basis. In case the car park is full, there is plenty of on street free and safe parking just outside of the hotel.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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